Departure and Arrival Prodedures

Question 1

What does the upside-down triangle with a T on an approach plate mean?

Answer 1

Non-standard takeoff minimums

Find these in the TPP or Foreflight

Question 2

What is a SID? How are they presented and what are their purpose?

Answer 2

Standard Instrument Departure

• Graphic with text descriptions
• Obstacle clearance
• Reduces workload for pilots and ATC
• Reduces radio frequency congestion
• ATC clearance is required
• Simplifies clearance

Question 3

What is an ODP? How are they presented and what are their purpose?

Answer 3

Obstacle Departure Procedure

• Obstacle clearance
• Least restrictive route
• Textual and/or graphic form
• May be flown even if not assigned by ATC
• Should be flown unless ATC assigns different procedure or radar vectors

Should be flown when departing IMC and you cannot see terrain or obstacles

Question 4

What is a climb gradient?

Answer 4

It is the amount of altitude that you gain per nm you travel forward

Question 5

What is the FAA standard climb gradient?

Answer 5

200ft per nm

*greater climb gradients might be necessary for certain departures

Question 6

How can you find the conversion between the climb gradient to feet per min?

Answer 6

The conversion can be found in the TPP or you can use the formula: GS/60 x climb gradient ft/nm

Ex: 90/60=1.5
1.5 x 200 ft/nm
ROC: 300fpm

Question 7

What does “Climb via SID” mean

Answer 7

This is an abbreviated clearance that requires you to comply with all of the SIDs

• Lateral (course or heading)
• Speed
• Altitude

You must fly this SID exactly as it is published

Question 8

Is there a Top Altitude for SIDs?

Answer 8

Yes, there can be top altitudes for SIDs

• These are not the filed altitude on your flight plan
• These are the “maintain” altitude for the SID

Question 9

Can top altitudes be changed on a SID?

Answer 9

Yes, ATC can tell you “Except Maintain” and this modifies the top altitude and you would stop your climb at that altitude

Question 10

What happens when there is no Top Altitude on a SID?

Answer 10

ATC will assign you a clearance for a top altitude

Question 11

If on a SID and told “climb and maintain” what does this mean?

Answer 11

• Cleared for an unrestricted climb to assigned altitude.
• All charted altitude restrictions are lifted but NOT speed restrictions

Question 12

Can speed restrictions on SIDs be lifted?

Answer 12

Yes, ATC may delete a speed restriction if needed.

Question 13

Can ATC give you a speed restriction while on a SID even if one is not published?

Answer 13

Yes, ATC may give you a speed restriction and it supersedes all speed requirements published on the SID.

• If given a speed restriction and then told “climb via (SID name) this will cancel speed restriction unless restriction is restated

Question 14

If cleared to a FIX along a SID what does this do?

Answer 14

This clears you to proceed direct to the fix on the SID and you bypass speed restrictions at any fixes.

• If told Proceed to (insert fix), Climb via (SID) this would not cancel any speed or altitude restrictions after re-establishing on the SID

Question 15

What will ATC do if they vector you off the SID?

Answer 15

• ATC will assign “Proceed to (fix), Climb via (SID)
• SID cancelled unless ATC tells you to expect to resume SID

Question 16

How do you fly a diverse departure?

Answer 16

• Maintain runway heading
• Cross departure end of runway 35ft or higher AGL
• Maintain a climb gradient of at least 200ft/nm
• Make first turn no lower than 400ft above departure end of the runway
• Turn in the shortest direction to your first fix

These are for airports that have at least one instrument approach

Question 17

What is a VCOA departure?

Answer 17

This is when you make climbing turns over an airport in VMC until specified altitude and then continue on to your route

Must advise ATC and get approval from ATC before departure to be able to do this

Question 18

What is a STAR?

Answer 18

Standard Terminal Arrival Route

Question 19

When do you start descending on a STAR?

Answer 19

You do not start descending until you are given an altitude to cross a fix at.

You can descend at your discretion and at whatever pace needed in order to meet the altitude given when you arrive at the stated fix

Question 20

What does it mean when ATC says “Descend via STAR”?

Answer 20

• Comply with lateral flight path
• Comply with charted speed restrictions
• Comply with published altitude restrictions
• Decent to bottom altitude

Question 21

If you are told that you are “Cleared” for the arrival what does that mean?

Answer 21

• This is not a Descend Via clearance
• You ARE cleared for the route and speed
• Descend is a separate clearance

Question 22

What is the bottom altitude?

Answer 22

• Lowest altitude published/ authorized
• NOT the MEA
• NOT any altitude on an approach

Question 23

When will ATC not issue a “Descend Via” clearance while on a STAR?

Answer 23

• When the STAR only has Expect Altitudes

Question 24

What is important to know about ATC speed adjustments

Answer 24

• Independent of a “Descend Via” clearance
• “Descend Via” cancels speed adjustments